Learn Hardcore Portuguese (Portugal): Quando eu subia as escadas todos os dias, demorava muito tempo para chegar ao meu quarto. - When I used to go up the stairs every day, it took me a long time to reach my room.

They are in the imperfect tense because they describe habitual or ongoing actions in the past. In this sentence, "subia" indicates that climbing the stairs was something done repeatedly (every day), and "demorava" shows that taking a long time was a continuous characteristic of that routine.

What does the clause "Quando eu subia as escadas todos os dias" signify?

This clause sets the time frame and frequency of the action. It translates to "When I used to climb the stairs every day," establishing that the action was a regular, habitual occurrence in the past.

Why is "subia" used instead of "subi" in this context?

"Subia" is the imperfect form and is used to express actions that were recurring or habitual. Using "subi" (the preterite form) would imply a single, completed action, rather than an ongoing routine.

What is the role of the phrase "demorava muito tempo para chegar ao meu quarto"?

This is the main clause of the sentence and explains the result of the habitual action. It means "it took a long time to get to my room," indicating the outcome experienced each time the stairs were climbed.

Who is the subject of "demorava" given that it isn’t explicitly mentioned?

Although there is no explicit subject in the main clause, the context implies an impersonal construction similar to the English "it" as in "it took me a long time." The idea is that the process or action of reaching the room is being described, without needing to restate "I."

Why is "ao meu quarto" used instead of "a meu quarto"?

In Portuguese, "ao" is the contraction of "a" (to) and "o" (the). Since "quarto" is a masculine noun that normally appears with the definite article "o" ("o quarto" meaning "the room"), "a" and "o" combine into "ao," which is the correct form for indicating direction ("to my room").